Read this before buying over-the-counter flea and tick products for your pet
By Dr Andrew | August 13, 2010
Flea and Tick Product Ingredients: What You Should Know
Read this before buying over-the-counter flea and tick products for your pet
The Humane Society of the United States
Protecting your dog or cat from fleas and ticks is an important part of responsible pet care.
Although there are many brands of over-the-counter flea and tick products available at supermarkets and pet
supply stores, it is critical to read their labels and consult with your veterinarian before using them on your
companion. These products may contain ingredients that could harm pets and children. Generally speaking,
flea and tick treatments widely available in supermarkets are not recommended. Never use dog treatments on
cats, and vice versa.
Due to a sharp increase in the number of incidents being reported from the use of spot-on pesticide products
for flea and tick control for pets, the Environmental Protection Agency announced in April 2009 that it is
intensifying its evaluation of whether further restrictions on the use of these products are necessary to better
protect pets.
In June 2009, the EPA was petitioned by the Natural Resources Defense Council to cancel all pet uses for the
pesticide tetrachlorvinphos, as well as a supplement to a previous NRDC petition to cancel all pet collar uses
for the pesticide propoxur. Both these chemicals are organophosphates and are widely used in mass-produced
flea/tick products. A comment period allowed citizens and organizations to comment, and on Aug. 3, 2009, the
HSUS supported the ban by submitting a brief history of the complaints we’ve received over the last several
years. The complaints from citizens around the country described the illness and death of companion animals
caused by flea and tick products, many of which contained TCVP.
Recent studies
The Center For Public Integrity released information on its website for its Perils of the New Pesticides study in
2008. At least 1,600 pet deaths related to spot on treatments with pyrethroids were reported to the EPA over
the last five years, according to an analysis of EPA pesticide incident exposure data by the center. Over-the-
counter flea and tick products could also pose a threat to human health, according to some experts.
The center reported that pyrethroid spot-ons also account “for more than half of ‘major’ pesticide pet reactions
reported to EPA over the last five years—that is, those incidents involving serious medical reactions such as
brain damage, heart attacks, and violent seizures. In contrast, non-pyrethroid spot on treatments accounted for
only about 6 percent of all major incidents.”
The Center For Public Integrity’s study said pyrethroid-based flea and tick treatments are approved for sale by
the EPA, and they are readily available at grocery stores, specialty pet retailers, and hardware stores, “but they
are also linked to thousands of reported pet poisonings, and they have stirred the ire of pet owners, the
concern of veterinarians, and the attention of regulatory agencies.”
In 2000, the Natural Resources Defense Council released a report called Poisons on Pets: Health Hazards from
Flea and Tick Products. The report also demonstrated a link between chemicals commonly used in flea and tick
products and serious health problems.
The chemicals
Besides pyrethroid-based products, ingredients to be wary of are organophosphate insecticides (OPs) and
carbamates, both of which are found in various flea and tick products. A product contains an OP if the
ingredient list contains chlorpyrifos, dichlorvos, phosmet, naled, tetrachlorvinphos, diazinon, or malathion. If the
ingredient list includes carbaryl or propoxur, the product contains a carbamate. According to the NRDC, the
potential dangers posed by these products are greatest for children and pets. There is reason to be concerned
about long-term, cumulative exposures as well as combined exposures from the use of other products
containing OPs and carbamates. The Center For Public Integrity’s study said permethrin is classified under the
most toxic category by NRDC because the EPA says it is “likely to be carcinogenic to humans” if ingested orally.
The products
The NRDC’s report lists flea- and tick-control products marketed under the following major brand names that
have been found to contain OPs: Alco, Americare, Beaphar, Double Duty, Ford’s Freedom Five, Happy Jack,
Hartz, Hopkins, Kill-Ko, Protection, Rabon, Riverdale, Sergeant’s, Unicorn, Vet-Kem, Victory, and Zema. To
protect their pets and children, consumers should consult with a veterinarian before purchasing any over-the-
counter (OTC) products.
The effects
According to the NRDC, there are studies that show OPs and carbamates can harm the nervous system.
Children can be especially vulnerable because their nervous systems are still developing. For pets, the data is
limited, but according to NRDC, many companion animals appear to have been injured or killed through
exposure to pet products containing OPs. Cats are particularly vulnerable, since they often lack enzymes for
metabolizing or detoxifying OPs and can ingest OPs by licking their fur.
What about the EPA?
Each year, millions of Americans purchase over-the-counter flea and tick products believing that they couldn’t
be sold unless they were proven safe. But the EPA did not begin to review pet products for safety until 1996.
There is a substantial backlog of products waiting to be tested, so many pet products containing potentially
harmful pesticides still make their way onto store shelves.
What to do if your pet is sick
Symptoms of poisoning by flea/tick treatments may include salivating, dilated pupils, shaking, vomiting and skin
irritation.
If you suspect your pet may have suffered negative health effects as a result of a flea product containing OPs
or carbamates, consult with your veterinarian immediately. If you think a child has ingested a pesticide, call your
local poison control center. Be sure to report all such incidents to the EPA’s National Pesticide
Telecommunications Network at 800-858-7378
By Dr Andrew | August 13, 2010
Flea and Tick Product Ingredients: What You Should Know
Read this before buying over-the-counter flea and tick products for your pet
The Humane Society of the United States
Protecting your dog or cat from fleas and ticks is an important part of responsible pet care.
Although there are many brands of over-the-counter flea and tick products available at supermarkets and pet
supply stores, it is critical to read their labels and consult with your veterinarian before using them on your
companion. These products may contain ingredients that could harm pets and children. Generally speaking,
flea and tick treatments widely available in supermarkets are not recommended. Never use dog treatments on
cats, and vice versa.
Due to a sharp increase in the number of incidents being reported from the use of spot-on pesticide products
for flea and tick control for pets, the Environmental Protection Agency announced in April 2009 that it is
intensifying its evaluation of whether further restrictions on the use of these products are necessary to better
protect pets.
In June 2009, the EPA was petitioned by the Natural Resources Defense Council to cancel all pet uses for the
pesticide tetrachlorvinphos, as well as a supplement to a previous NRDC petition to cancel all pet collar uses
for the pesticide propoxur. Both these chemicals are organophosphates and are widely used in mass-produced
flea/tick products. A comment period allowed citizens and organizations to comment, and on Aug. 3, 2009, the
HSUS supported the ban by submitting a brief history of the complaints we’ve received over the last several
years. The complaints from citizens around the country described the illness and death of companion animals
caused by flea and tick products, many of which contained TCVP.
Recent studies
The Center For Public Integrity released information on its website for its Perils of the New Pesticides study in
2008. At least 1,600 pet deaths related to spot on treatments with pyrethroids were reported to the EPA over
the last five years, according to an analysis of EPA pesticide incident exposure data by the center. Over-the-
counter flea and tick products could also pose a threat to human health, according to some experts.
The center reported that pyrethroid spot-ons also account “for more than half of ‘major’ pesticide pet reactions
reported to EPA over the last five years—that is, those incidents involving serious medical reactions such as
brain damage, heart attacks, and violent seizures. In contrast, non-pyrethroid spot on treatments accounted for
only about 6 percent of all major incidents.”
The Center For Public Integrity’s study said pyrethroid-based flea and tick treatments are approved for sale by
the EPA, and they are readily available at grocery stores, specialty pet retailers, and hardware stores, “but they
are also linked to thousands of reported pet poisonings, and they have stirred the ire of pet owners, the
concern of veterinarians, and the attention of regulatory agencies.”
In 2000, the Natural Resources Defense Council released a report called Poisons on Pets: Health Hazards from
Flea and Tick Products. The report also demonstrated a link between chemicals commonly used in flea and tick
products and serious health problems.
The chemicals
Besides pyrethroid-based products, ingredients to be wary of are organophosphate insecticides (OPs) and
carbamates, both of which are found in various flea and tick products. A product contains an OP if the
ingredient list contains chlorpyrifos, dichlorvos, phosmet, naled, tetrachlorvinphos, diazinon, or malathion. If the
ingredient list includes carbaryl or propoxur, the product contains a carbamate. According to the NRDC, the
potential dangers posed by these products are greatest for children and pets. There is reason to be concerned
about long-term, cumulative exposures as well as combined exposures from the use of other products
containing OPs and carbamates. The Center For Public Integrity’s study said permethrin is classified under the
most toxic category by NRDC because the EPA says it is “likely to be carcinogenic to humans” if ingested orally.
The products
The NRDC’s report lists flea- and tick-control products marketed under the following major brand names that
have been found to contain OPs: Alco, Americare, Beaphar, Double Duty, Ford’s Freedom Five, Happy Jack,
Hartz, Hopkins, Kill-Ko, Protection, Rabon, Riverdale, Sergeant’s, Unicorn, Vet-Kem, Victory, and Zema. To
protect their pets and children, consumers should consult with a veterinarian before purchasing any over-the-
counter (OTC) products.
The effects
According to the NRDC, there are studies that show OPs and carbamates can harm the nervous system.
Children can be especially vulnerable because their nervous systems are still developing. For pets, the data is
limited, but according to NRDC, many companion animals appear to have been injured or killed through
exposure to pet products containing OPs. Cats are particularly vulnerable, since they often lack enzymes for
metabolizing or detoxifying OPs and can ingest OPs by licking their fur.
What about the EPA?
Each year, millions of Americans purchase over-the-counter flea and tick products believing that they couldn’t
be sold unless they were proven safe. But the EPA did not begin to review pet products for safety until 1996.
There is a substantial backlog of products waiting to be tested, so many pet products containing potentially
harmful pesticides still make their way onto store shelves.
What to do if your pet is sick
Symptoms of poisoning by flea/tick treatments may include salivating, dilated pupils, shaking, vomiting and skin
irritation.
If you suspect your pet may have suffered negative health effects as a result of a flea product containing OPs
or carbamates, consult with your veterinarian immediately. If you think a child has ingested a pesticide, call your
local poison control center. Be sure to report all such incidents to the EPA’s National Pesticide
Telecommunications Network at 800-858-7378
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http://www.theonlinevet.com/innercircle.php
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44,000 adverse reactions from this
------------------------------------------------
This was a report released last year, but it does re-inforce the NEED to look for alternatives, and be cautious in applying
medication to your dog or cat.
MEDICATION can be dangerous.
Here is a section from the report.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is warning dog and cat owners about potential health risks to their animals from
a variety of spot-on flea and tick medications.
Spot-on products generally are sold in tubes or vials and are applied to one or more areas on the body of the animal, such
as in between the shoulders or in a stripe along the back.
More than 44,000 pet health-related incidents from spot-on treatments were reported last year to the EPA, ranging from
mild skin irritations to death. As a result, the EPA recently announced it was intensifying its evaluation of these products.
The EPA investigation will center on incidents with spot-on treatments, sprays, collars and shampoos. “However, the
majority of the potential incidents reported to EPA are related to flea and tick treatments with EPA-registered spot-on
products,” the EPA announced.
Pesticide registrants are required by law to submit information to the EPA on adverse effects resulting from the use of any
registered pesticide. EPA said seven products represent about 80 percent of all adverse incidents.
------------------------------------------------
44,000 adverse reactions from this
------------------------------------------------
This was a report released last year, but it does re-inforce the NEED to look for alternatives, and be cautious in applying
medication to your dog or cat.
MEDICATION can be dangerous.
Here is a section from the report.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is warning dog and cat owners about potential health risks to their animals from
a variety of spot-on flea and tick medications.
Spot-on products generally are sold in tubes or vials and are applied to one or more areas on the body of the animal, such
as in between the shoulders or in a stripe along the back.
More than 44,000 pet health-related incidents from spot-on treatments were reported last year to the EPA, ranging from
mild skin irritations to death. As a result, the EPA recently announced it was intensifying its evaluation of these products.
The EPA investigation will center on incidents with spot-on treatments, sprays, collars and shampoos. “However, the
majority of the potential incidents reported to EPA are related to flea and tick treatments with EPA-registered spot-on
products,” the EPA announced.
Pesticide registrants are required by law to submit information to the EPA on adverse effects resulting from the use of any
registered pesticide. EPA said seven products represent about 80 percent of all adverse incidents.